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What Should Be Included in an O-1 Visa Itinerary?

The itinerary is USCIS’s main way of verifying that the work covers multiple sites and aligns with the period requested. A clear, credible schedule helps the Service verify the legitimacy of the petition, prevent fraud, and decide whether the requested validity dates are reasonable. In recent years, we have observed USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) reaching out to employers listed on the itinerary to verify details of the employment.

The itinerary requirement applies whenever the beneficiary will perform services in more than one location, regardless of whether the petitioner is a single employer or an agent functioning as the employer under 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(o)(2)(iv)(A). Touring musicians, consulting professionals who rotate among client sites, fashion models working a string of shows, and athletes competing in multiple venues all fall squarely within its scope.

An incomplete or vague itinerary often triggers a Request for Evidence (RFE) or even a denial, while a clear schedule shows the adjudicator that the petitioner has firm commitments and a well‑planned employment period. However, USCIS does recognize that different industries organize work very differently and that exact dates may not be locked in months ahead of time. The agency therefore allows a measure of flexibility in both format and detail.

Even with this flexibility, several practical challenges frequently emerge during the petition process. Engagement dates may shift after filing, certain productions operate under strict nondisclosure agreements, and freelance or contingent work arrangements can prove difficult to document in advance. Each scenario presents different strategy considerations: determining the appropriate level of detail required, identifying when amendments become necessary, and navigating potential conflicts between business confidentiality requirements and evidentiary obligations. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your case, we will work with you to develop the most effective strategy.